Winter Hunt

(Authors Note: This story happened just as I wrote it. I did not get that fox that morning. However about 2 weeks later I did catch him in a dirthole I had up in the pasture on the ridge. When I got there, he had been killed by a horse, as when I skinned him, I could see a bruise on his head and a hoof imprint on his chest.)

The alarm jangled me out of bed; I swung my feet and touched them down on the icy floor. I ambled my way into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. Staring out the window, I noticed Jack Frost had left one of his masterpieces on the panes. The newly fallen snow glittered in the dim starlight, as I poured a cup of coffee strong enough to carve. I walked back into the backroom, and as I uncased my shotgun; the pungent smell of Hoppe's and WD-40 permeated the air. The action on the old pump slid back with an oily snick-snack as I checked the chamber, I knew was empty, but better safe than sorry.

I shrugged into the heavy overalls and put three shells into my pocket. I shouldn't need more, I hoped. I opened the backdoor and stepped out into the fresh snow. The stars above looked like diamond dust spread across the black velvet of the night sky. I still had twenty minutes or so to get to my stand before first light. My feet cast up tiny mute explosions in the newly fallen powder. I quickly walked down the old logging trail, passing the ancient hemlocks that stood like silent sentinels, watching me as I passed. I trudged through the snowy field and into the creek bed on the far side. The creek though covered in its winterine shroud of snow and ice still burbled contentedly. I could hear it faintly as I stopped to catch my breath.

The sun was just bloodying the eastern horizon as I got into my stand. I quickly set up the speaker and unrolled the wire of the electronic call. I hunkered down against a huge old oak and waited for enough light to see clearly. Finally, the pale winter sun illuminated the scene enough that I could see distinctly all around me. I pressed play on the caller, and the plaintive squeals of a dying rabbit, raped the still morning air. I scanned the surrounding countryside looking for a red fox eager to get an easy breakfast.

After a few minutes I noticed movement on a brushy hillside to my north. A blood red dot was moving in on my position at a steady clip. As it got nearer, I could see it was a huge red fox decked out in his best winter coat. I slowly swung the shotgun off my knees and onto my shoulder, so as not to alarm him. He pulled to a stop at about 20 yards away, looking over the area. I placed the bead of my shotgun on his chest and started to pull the trigger. I had gotten the trigger about half squeezed, when POOF! He disappeared like a magicians handkerchief. He was gone; no trace, no noise, just some tracks in the snow, almost as if he had been real. He pulled a vanishing act that would make David Copperfield blush. I turned off the call and rolled up the wire, looking out at where he had been.

As I started on my back trail to the house, I started thinking of that fox; was I upset he got away? Well maybe part of me was he had a beautiful coat that was red as blood. I was out of work and that was twenty-five bucks I could have used badly. Still another part was glad he got away, it means he and I might just cross paths again someday. If we cross paths again, maybe I'll let him get away, just for old times sake.

great story you tell. thanks.

Good read

Send me the audio version Mike,,,,, my brain can not focus for that long,,,,,
Putting together ikea stuff about kills me…..

Thanks for the kind words fellas, as I say I like to write 'em like you like to read 'em

Thank you.

That was a well written story! That is exactly how a fox acts. One moment they’re there, and the next thing you know, he is a mile away!

Great job, Mike

Husky

Did you get in on the snow? If so next time you’ll be able to see the tracks, here we barely got a dusting so no easy tracking yet.

This was great! Lots of warm feels

Snow is coming to S MN. and Iowa .

Great job sharing a great hunt, Mike!

Thank you!

Moosetrot

Good story and good writing, thanks for sharing.